18.6.2025

Change brings opportunities for growth

‘We live in exceptional times’ – a phrase that has come to define this decade. Markets today are shaped by global trade tensions, war on European soil, and a historic wave of technological transformation. In this landscape, predictability is no longer the norm – volatility and constant change are. Businesses must now thrive in a world where uncertainty is part of the operating environment.

While change brings its challenges, it also opens the door to growth and innovation. We’ve had the privilege of supporting clients at the forefront of this evolution – from breakthroughs in quantum technology, cybersecurity, health tech, circular economy, satellite technology, clean energy, and more. These shifts are generating transactions, driving investment, and creating real momentum.

At Castrén & Snellman, our team is stronger than ever. Across sectors, clients count on us for clear, strategic advice that helps them seize opportunities in this fast-moving world.

This new era demands advisors who are agile, future-focused, and pragmatic. Our role is to help clients navigate complexity with confidence – and that means contracts built for change, and teams ready to deliver from day one, backed by deep expertise and experience.

AI is a prime example of this shift. Our clients share our ambition to harness its potential, and we’re already seeing how it can enhance both the speed and quality of legal work. This means we can devote even more time to the strategic challenges that matter most. We’re well on our way and excited to share our learnings. The conversations we’ve had with clients around this have been insightful and energising – a true reflection of our collaborative Castrén spirit, which has guided our firm for 137 years.

It has been an honour to step into the role of Managing Partner and lead our firm into this next chapter. I look forward to working even more closely with you – our clients, colleagues and partners.

I wish you all a bright summer!

Latest references

Castrén & Snellman was commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment to carry out a study on how the Circular Economy Act could be used to promote circular economy aspects in public procurement. Our report provides valuable information to the working group tasked with preparing the new Circular Economy Act. The report includes an overview of relevant strategies, action programmes and policies, a look at relevant legislation and case law, an assessment of the current state of circular economy procurement and examples of integrating circular economy aspects into public procurement from around the world. We end the report with concrete conclusions and a proposal for a new circular economy provision with justification. The proposal aims to maximise the regulation’s effectiveness and minimise any adverse side effects. The final report is available on the Circular Economy Act project’s Gateway to Information (in Finnish). The study was carried out by Anna Kuusniemi-Laine, Sanna Aalto-Setälä, Lotta Huhtamäki, Marja Ollila, Laura Vuorinen, Paavo Heinonen and Anna Ylitalo.
Case published 11.11.2025
We advised CapMan Real Estate in the acquisition and financing of a high-quality residential asset located in Katajanokka, Helsinki.  The asset was acquired from the Finnish Seamen’s Service Bureau (MEPA).  The property consisting of 38 modern rental apartments with a parking garage was completed in 2017. The building features high-quality construction, modern floorplans, and well-designed communal areas including a gym and rooftop sauna premises, and blends with the area’s historic maritime character. The residential asset is located in the prestigious Katajanokka seaside district of central Helsinki, known for its architectural heritage and proximity to the city centre. The property has a high ESG profile which will be further improved by CapMan Real Estate.
Case published 6.11.2025
We are acting as legal adviser to Stena Line on its acquisition of NLC Ferry Ab Oy (Wasaline), strengthening Stena Line’s position in the Baltic Sea and enabling it to take over operations of the ferry route between Umeå in Sweden and Vaasa in Finland. The acquisition further strengthens Stena Line’s position as one of the leaders in sustainability within the ferry industry and enhances the company’s access to alternative fuels whilst providing a strong intermodal transport link towards Gothenburg and Trelleborg, and onwards to the European continent. NLC Ferry, operating under the auxiliary name Wasaline, were owned by Kvarken Link, a company jointly owned 50/50 by the cities of Umeå and Vaasa. Wasaline is the world’s northernmost shipping company, operating daily passenger and freight services between Vaasa, Finland and Umeå, Sweden, and is the first carbon-neutral ferry operator in the Baltic Sea with its hybrid vessel, Aurora Botnia, which runs on biogas and batteries. Stena Line is one of Europe’s leading ferry operators, with 20 routes across the continent. The company is family-owned, was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Gothenburg, with 6,550 employees and an annual turnover of 19.6 billion SEK. The transaction is conditional to the approval of the respective municipal councils of Umeå and Vaasa as well as customary closing conditions such as authority approvals. The completion of the transaction is expected to take place in the beginning of the year 2026. Castrén & Snellman is collaborating with CMS Wistrand, Stena Line’s advisor on Swedish law matters in connection with the transaction.
Case published 4.11.2025
We advised Prisma Properties in a real estate transaction in which the company acquired a retail property in Helsinki from Hartela.  The acquired property was built specifically for the discount retailer Jula. Completed in October 2025, the property is modern and very energy-efficient, and it is fully leased to Jula under a 10-year lease agreement. The property located in the Konala district, adjacent to the busy Ristikko shopping centre, spans 2,600 square metres. Prisma Properties is a fast-growing developer and long-term owner of modern properties for discount retail, grocery retail, and quick-service restaurants. The company operates across the Nordics and manages a property portfolio valued at approximately EUR 650 million, primarily consisting of newly developed properties with long lease agreements.
Case published 29.10.2025